Tabulating machine for nondecimal systems



Max-ch21, 1933. G. F. DALY AL TABULATING MACHINE FOR NONDECIMAL SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 30. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet lull avweutozs GEORGE F- DALY RALPH EPAGE March 21, 1933. DALY ET AL 1,902,017

TABULATING MACHINE FOR NONDECIMAL SYSTEMS I I m y I IllllfllllflllIllllllllillllllllllllllllll llllll G 5 Svwemtoz GEORGE FDALY RALPH EPAGE March 21, 1933. 5 DALY AL 1,902,017

TABULATING MACHINE FOR NONDEGIMAL SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 30. 192 6 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 amvemtozs GEORGE F. DALY RALPH E. PAGE March 21, 1933. G, DALY AL 1,902,017

TABULATING MACHINE FOR NONDECIMAL SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 30, 1926 4Sheets-Sheet 4 ,4 1 [at .9. liq/0;

POUNDS 7 2-1-5 50-10 62 6-186 000 000000 144} 1111(161\ 222222 57149-44 5553 3 5 4444 4 4 5555 5 5 6666 e :2 g? 7777 7 868B 6 19 3 9999 9 g-1.--;

a2 a5 1 52 D avwemtozs II GEORGE E DALY RALPH 5 PAGE Patented M... 21, 1933 UNITEDSTATES PATEN oFFicE GEORGE I. DALY AND RALPH E. iAG-E, OF ENDICOTT,

TABULA'I'ING MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW JERSEY TABULA'I'ING M'ACHINE FOR NONDECIML SYSTEMS I Application filed November at, 192a. Serial. m mm.

The invention concerns tabulating machines and more particularly such a machine designed to add, list and print totals of numbers "which do not conform to the decimal progressive system. Most machines of this type are based on a decimal system of progression and the controlling cards, accumulating devices, printing devices, etc. are designed to operate so that each accumulator unit adds in tenths and transfers from lower to higher denominational orders accordingto a decimal system, and the printing mechanism likewise is difierentially selected according to movements graduated in tenths;

ing from the use of decimal systems is retained. A Another object of the invention is to pro vide for adding and printing items in units comprising inore or less than ten sub-units.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 5 vide a machine for adding according to the general principles of a decimal system but which may be adapted to other systems of progression by providing for transferring after some digit other than 9,,

A further object of the invention is topro vide for printing and adding by a machine operating generally in conformity with a decimal system but provided with means for adapting figures of another system to composite numbers of the decimal system, whereby they may be added and printed while retaining their distinctive meaning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine operatinggenerally in ac cordance with a decimalsystem but in which units comprising more than ten sub-units may Fig-Sis a detail of the total taking mecha' be operat d upon by combining two or more accounting devices to handle sub-units.

lit is very desirable in many cases to add and print numbers in which there are more or less than ten sub-units in a unit, for example dozens, English pence or shillings, etc. The invention contemplates adding and printing such units on existing tabulating machines in which the general structural and operative features are retained but modified where necessary to adapt them to the particular system adopted. For the purpose of explanation, a machine for adding and print mg in the English monetary system has been chosen, although it will be obvious that the principles may be adapted to other systems. The pounds are added, listed and totaled according to the decimal system as heretofore, but the shillings, of which there are 20 to a pound, and the pence, of which there are 12 to a shilling, require a modified arrangement of the machine elements for adapting them to the mechanical adding, listing and totaling functions of the machine. Generally the shillings and pence are each assigned two counter wheels and two printing bars which are selected in accordance with perforations in pairs of columns on the controlling cards 7 to indicate the shillings and pence according to a readily understandable system.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanyin drawings which the same numerals reer to the same partsh throughout the several figures and in whic NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO THE EN 'DIC'OT'I', NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF.

Fig. 1 shows a cross section through the adding section of a machineaccording to the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 show sectional and elevation- I a1 views respectively ofa commutator device for properly selecting typetor printing on the two pence bar's;

Fig.4 shows a topplan view of the count er mechanismshown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows developments of the several counter wheels;

Fig. 6 showsthe printing mechanism; Fig. 7 is an elevation of the type bars along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;,

' number and Fig. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating the electrical connections of the pence and shilling counting and totaling devices.

eferring first to Fig. 9, a portion of a tabulating card of the well known Hollerith type is illustrated having special markings indicating shillin' and pence. The H01 lerith cards provi e-for ten index pointsin each column, these being designated from zero to nine. This system is adaptable to the recording of pounds which progress according to the decimal system, but can not be used for shillings or pence which do not conform to such a system. It will be understood that the present discussion is concerned with com pound numbers inthe English currency sys-' tem, such numbers having denominations of pounds, shillings and pence. Shillings, in this notation, never exceed nineteen in number, and pence never exceed levemso that when a number of shillin o a number .of pence is mentioned, it will e understood that the number is les than twenty in the case of shillings or less than twelve in the case of pence. The shillings are represented in two columns, the ri ht hand column providing for registering s illings up to nine while the left hand columnprovides for recording the number of shillings above nine. The shil- ,lings are re 'stered accordingto a composite system in t e two columns. Thus ten shillin could be registered by punching the one in ex point in the left hand column and the zero index point in the ri ht hand column. This still conforms genera 1y to the decimal stem as does the transferr ng after nine in e ri ht hand column, although in connection with the left hand column there must be transferring after one, as one is the only numeral-which need ever be represented in this column. The pence columns require a further modification in that it must be possible to register as high as eleven pence in the two columns and transferring must be ef footed after eleven is registered in the two columns. This is effected by registering pence u to five in the right hand column by the usual perforations and representing the p pence above five b a composite reading in t e two columns. s the number twelve is not readilyadapted to combinations 1n the decimal system, any number of pence above five is indicated by the sum of the index points in the two columns, thus eight pence would be re resented by punching six in the ,left hand co umn and two in the ri ht hand column. Any other combination a ove five would be represented by a six in the left hand column and the difference between the numher which it is desired to indicate and six in the right hand column. It will be noted that the six in the left hand column isplaced in the usual one index point position for the purpose of assisting in proper punching and for convenience of machine operation. obvious, however, that the six in the left hand pence column could be replaced by a one in which case a perforation in the one index point position of the left hand pence column would still represent six pence and not one penny.

In Fig. 10 is shown a list and summation taken from the accumulators as controlled by such a card as shown in Fig. 9. The shillings are represented in two columns and may be read directly in their true meaning, although in the left hand column one is the only figure which can occur. The pence are also represented in two columns and during listing items the numbers occurring in the two columns must be added to obtain the proper number of pence, for example, in the second line of the printed record eight pence is represented by a six in the left hand column and a two in the right hand column. In the totals, however, marked by asterisks, the total occurs as a single number, the total of the first group of pence items above the shilling multiple in Fig. 10 being nine. sions are made for thus printing totals up to eleven in the pence columns as willhereinafter be described.

The arrangement of the machine elements by which adding and listing is effected will now be described in connection with the other figures of the drawings. Referring first to Figs. 1 and 4, an accumulating device of well known type in the tabulating art and described in Lake Patent No. 1,307 ,740, filed June 24, 1919 is/illustrated. It is unnecessary to explain this in detail, but it will be explained sufiiciently to make clear its connection with the present improvement. The motive power for driving the counter elements, represented by 21, 22, 23 and 24, is obtained from the constantly rotating shaft 27 which is geared to them through suitable gear trains 28, the connection for each counter element including a clutch, controlled by a magnet 29. The latter when energized attract their armatures 30 and effect engagement of the clutch for driving the counter mechanism, the extent of movement of the counter elements being governed by the time of energization of the magnets in the machine cycle, which in turn is fixed by the position of the controlling index points on the tabulating card. The retation of the counter element, through another gear train 33, sets a total taking cam 32 to a position corresponding to that of the counter element at any given time. The .counter elements are shown at 21 to 26, in- "clusive, in Fig. 4. The elements 23, 25 and It is Provi- 26 are of the usual t pe while the elements 22 and 24 differ from t e usual type only in that the former alternates between six and zero positions and the latter between one and zero positions, itbeing understood that transfer is provided for whenever the unit 22 moves from the six marking to the zero marking, or when the unit 24 moves from the one marking to the zero marking. The counter element 21 as may be seen from Fig. 5 has twelve indicating positions in place of the usual ten, these positions being evenly spaced and representing two sets of figures each extending from zero to five. This element is properly geared so that it will move 1/12 of a revolution for each unit represented by the perforation on a tabulating card. The elements 23, 24, 25 and 26 are provided with the usual type of total taking cam 31 while the unit 21 is provided with a special type of cam clearly shown at 32 in Figs. 1 and 8, and the unit 22 has no total taking cam but a commutator 34 in place of it whose function will be explained later.

The printing mechanism is of the usual type and is represented diagrammatically in Fig. 6 in which the printing bars 35 carrying the type cases 36 at their upper ends are moved vertically during printing cycles under control of an arm 37 fast to shaft 38. The shaft 38 has fixed thereon a double arm lever 41 whose arms have extensions projecting into the path, respectively, of extensions 42 and 43 on cam following members 44 and 50.

The cooperating extensions in both cases consist of an adjustable bolt on one member cooperating with a lug on the other member.

The cam following member 44 is loosely mounted on the shaft 38 and carries a roll 45 which coacts with totaling cam 47, and the cam following member carries a roll 46 which coacts with a cam groove 48 in the listing cam 49. During listing the cam 49 rotates rocking member 50 clockwise and resulting in clockwise rotation of the arm 37. During total printing the cam 47 rotates, rocking member 44 clockwise and again resulting in clockwise rotation of the arm 37. During both printing operations, then, the type bar 35 rises to bring its type successively in printing position opposite the platen roll 51. The di erent type are selected for printing by means of call magnets 52 of which one is pro vided for each type bar. Energization of any call magnet eflects attraction of its armature which shifts a call rod'53 to the right, releasing the latch 54 and permitting the stop pawl 55 to engage one of the ratchet teeth 56 on the typebar 35. i The movement of the type bar 35 is synchronous with machine operation and the energizations of the call magnetsare properly timed to select the proper type for either listing or total printing.

The theory involved in accumulatin shilling and pence items may be understoo from a consideration of Figs. 4 and 5 in which the counter elements of the adding mechanism are indicated at 21 to" 26 inclusive. As already explained the elements 25 and 26 are of the usual form and are adapted to accumulate pounds items which progress according to the usual decimal system. The elements 23 and 24 are designed to cooperate with the shillings columns of the record shown in Fig. 9, the element 23 being controlled from the right hand shillings column and the element 24 being controlled from the left hand shillings column. As explained above, the right hand shillings column also conforms to the decimal system and consequently the counter element 23 is of the usual form, that is units up to nine are entered into it exactly as they are designated in the record column and when it moves from its nine to its zero registering position one unit is transferred to the element 24. The element 24 registers from the left hand shillings column and differs from the usual form only in that its registering positions alternate between one and zero, as the numeral one is the only integer which is ever entered in the left hand shillings column. This counter must transfer to the lowest pounds counter whenever it moves from a one to a zero registering position.

The counter elements 21 and 22 register pence and are controlled from the right and left hand pence columns respectively of the record card shown in Fig. 9. The element 21 need only accumulate up to five and must then transfer to the element 22, as five has been arbitrarily selected as the highest number which will ever be punched in the right hand pence column. The counter element 22 is similar to the element 24 in that in rotating, it alternates between numeral registering po sitions and zero registering positions as six is the only numeral which can be entered into it from the record card. It transfers to the element 23 on passing from a six to a zero position. It may be noted that the movement of the element 22 from a six to a zero position may be effected in two ways; first by the entry of another six from the record card when a six is already registered by it and second by transfer from the element 21 when the latter moves from a five to a zero position. In either case of course it will transfer a unit to the element 23.

Listing is accomplished in the usual manner, that is energization of any counter magnet results in energization of a corresponding printing magnet to select the proper type for listing. In connection with the pence columns and the left hand shillings column certain modifications must be made in the arrangement of the type on the type bars, as the bars corresponding to these columns list only in certain positions. In the left hand shillings and pence columns all listing is controlled from the one index point position of the record card and as the card is passed through the analyzing mechanism with the higher index points leading the corresponding printing bars need carry listing type only in their two lowermost positions, the lowest type in each case being a blank and the next to the lowest being a one for the shillings and a six for the pence. This is shown in Fig. 7 in which the type bar A is used for printing shillings in the left hand column and carries a one type at 57 and a blank type at 58. In like manner the type bar C which is used forprinting pence in the left hand col umn has a six type at 59 and a blank type at 60 similarly placed. The type bar D which prints pence in the right hand column carries on its lower portion a blank type at 68 and a series of digit t pe above it extending from one to five, the ve type at 69 being the highest which may be selected for listing as pence items in the right hand pence columns are only recorded .up to five. The bars all carry additional type but these are used only in totaling as will be hereinafter explained and have no connection with listing operations.

Total printing of data standing on counter elements 23, 24, 25 and 26 is effected by the usual stepped cams 31 which are set in accordance with the position of their associated counter elements and during total taking cycles serve to operate contact members of the general form shown in the upper part of Fig. 1. The counter element 24 as it rotates alternates between zero and one registering positions, but its associated type bar A (Fi .7) carries blank type alternating with .one type, so that the-cam 31 of this element may be of standard shape and still efiect proper type selection in accordance with any of its positions, that is, the counter element when in zero position will cause selection of a blank type and when in one position will cause selection of a one type.

The typebars C and D in Fig. 7 correspond to the pence columns and have a modified arrangement of type to permit total printing of any number from one to eleven. Any total of pence from one to five is printed by type bar D, the upper type including 69 being used for this purpose. Any total of pence from six to eleven is printed by type bar C, using the upper type which are arranged in the order 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 6.

The mechanism for selecting the proper type, on type bars C and D and for shifting from one bar to another as required will now be described in connection with Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 of the drawings. The counter element 21 has an associated totaling cam 32 which as usual is geared to the element so that its position always corresponds to that of the element. This cam, instead of the usual single series of ten steps as indicated for the cams31 in Fig. 11, is provided with two series of steps each consisting of six steps and corresponding to the two sets of indications on the counter element. The shape of the cam 32 may be clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 8. The counter element 22 has no total cam associated with it, aconnnutator 34 being substituted for the usual cam. This commutator is geared to the counter element in the same way as the usual total cam and always assumes a position corresponding to that of the counter element 22. The commutator consists of a continuous conducting ring 61 with lateral staggered projections 62 and 63 extending on opposite sides. Three brushes coact with the commutator (Figs. 2 and 3) of which brush 64 is in continuous engagement with ring 61, brush 65 makes contact with a conducting projection 62 whenever the element-22 is in a zero position and brush 66 makes contact with a conducting projection 63 whenever the element 22 is in a six position.

The total taking mechanism associated with the counter element 21 is of the usual type as shown in Figs. 1 and 8 and consists of a frame 71 fixed to the total rock shaft 72 which is rocked by suitable well known mechanisms whenever a total is to be taken. Loosely mounted on shaft 72 is a feeler finger 74 resiliently held against the frame 71 as in Fig. 1 by a spring 80. The feeler finger carries a rearwardly extending conducting member 76 having an arcuate end which makes sliding connection with a contact 77 on the machine frame throughout the movement of the finger. The frame 71 has a rearward extension 78 which carries a contact 79 normally out of engagement with the arcuate surface of conductor 76 as in Fig. 1. The total cam 32 corresponds in position to its associate counter element, and as the finger rocks with the shaft 72 and frame 71 a screw 75 at its forward end eventually encounters one of the stepped surfaces on the cam 32 and the finger is held from further movement. The frame 71 continues its movement with the shaft 72, stretching the spring 80, andthe relative movement between the frame and the finger causes contact 79 on the frame to engage the conducting member 76 thereby completin the circuit of a printing magnet to select t e proper type for printing.

Pivoted on the frame 71 at 73 is an arm 83 normally held againstthe frame by a spring 84. This arm carries a roller 82 adapted to open a pair of normally closed spring contacts 85 just after the frame 71 passes a five type selecting position and before it reaches a zero type selecting position. A stop 82a interrupts the motion of arm 83 just after the contacts open;

The energization of-the printing magnets 52C and 52D (Fig. 11) which select the type on type bars C and D, respectively, for printing islcontrolled conjointly by commutator 34 and'tota'l cam 32. The type bars move synchronously with the feeling fingers and will be selected for printing in accordance with the particular step on the cam which arrests the movement of the finger. Whenever the counter element .22 (Fig.' 4) isin zero position the commutator 34 will effect contact between brush 65 and. one of the projecting'segments 62 and the brush 66 will rest on the insulation between two adjacent projections 63 as in Figs. 3 and 11. Referring to Fig, 11 it will be noted ,that under these condi: tions the total print circuit of magnet 520i is open at brush 66, and consequentl as long as counter element 22 stands at zero all total a totaling operation. .The typ printing controlled from element 21 will be effected through magnet 52D selecting the upper type from one to five on type bar D. The total print circuit in this case extends through contacts 76-79, which are closed when the f el?! finger 74 is arrested by a step on thecam 32, and thence through brushes 64 and 65 to contacts 85 and magnet 52D.

Any number from one to five maybe printed in this way, but no printing will be effected for a zero setting of the cam 32 as the contacts 85 open automatically just after the feeler finger passes the five selecting position and before it reaches the zero selecting position.

When the counter element 22, registering pence in theleft hand column, moves to a six position, the commutator 34, which is geared tothe counter elements, also moves, bringing the brush 65 onto an insulating por-- tion and the brush 66 onto a conducting projection 63. In this eventthe total print circuit of magnet 52D is open at brush 65 and type selection must be effected by magnet 520 which cooperates with type bar G. The total print 'ci cuit now extends through contacts 7679 to brush 64; and through conducting portions of the commutator to brush 66 and thence to magnet 520. If the counter element .22 stands at six and the element 21. stands at zero it is necessary to print a six on e bars again move synchronously with the feeler finger 7 4 and the six type indicated at 88 on bar (1' (Fig. 7) reaches printing position when the feeler finger 74 is arrested by a zero step on cam 32 thus closing contacts 767 9 to select the six type 88 for printing. The seven, eight, nine, ten and eleven type on bar will be similarly selected when the feeler finger 7 4 is arrested by the one, two, three, four and five selecting steps respectively of the cam 32.

operative embodiment what we trol mechanism and a plurality of accounting devices for items of a denominational unit divisible into sub-units, each of said devices being assigned to predetermined combinations of sub-units, means associating said control mechanism with said accounting devices to enter the proper combinations of sub-units of the denomination therein print.

said elements being assignedto register a fixed increment of sub-units and another being assigned to a progression of sub-units and 2 provided with transfer mechanism to effect transferring to the other element "after a complete progression has been accumulated, means associating each of said elements with said control mechanism to efi'ect entry of subunits according to the predetermined assignment and total printing mechanism controlled by the elements and comprising a printing device associated with each element and each includin a progression of type and means controlled y one of the elements for shifting from one printing device to another on a transferring operation.

3. An accountm machine comprising control mechanism an a plurality of adder elements controlled thereby for accumulating items of a denominational unit divisible into sub-units, one of said elements being assigned to a progression of sub-units and another being assigned to register a fixed increment of sub-units, a printing device associated with said first named element comprising type corresponding to the progression of sub-units other element and means controlled conjointly by said elements for selecting the type of both printing devices for printing. v

4. An accounting machine comprising control mechanism and a'plurality of adder elements controlled thereby for accumulating items of a denominational unit divisible into sub-units, one of said elements being assigned to a progression of sub-units and anotherbeingassigned to register a fixed increment of sub-units, a printing device associated with said first named element comprising type corresponding to the progression of sub-units thereon, a second printing device comprisin t pe correspondin toa ro ession re re enied by the fixed Eumbei ofgs ub-units in combination with the progression of the other element, means controlled by the first named element for selecting the type of each printi device for printing and means controlled y the second named element for selectin the different printing devices.

5. n accounting machine comprising a pair of counter elements-for recelving and accumulatin entries within a single denominational or er in which sub-units progress according to a non-decimal system, one of said elements havin provisions for moving it to alternate positions registering zero or one-half the sub-units in the denominational order and the other element having provisions for moving it to positions for progres sively registering from zero to one less than half the number of sub-units in the denominational order, a (pair of printing devices, one being provide with type for rogressively prlntin from one to one less t an half the number 0 sub-units in the denomination and the other being provided with t for progressively printlng from one-hal to one less than the total number of sub-units in the denomination, means associated with said first named element for selecting the first named printing device when itstands in zero position and the second named printing device when it stands in its number registering position and means associated with said sec- 0nd named element for selecting the type of the selected printing device in accordance with its progressive registering positions.

6. A11 accounting machinecomprising control mechanism and a plurality of accounting monetary system by setting equal increments, one of sa1d devices being devices for items of a denominational unit capable of representing pence of the English operations of assigned to 9. r0 ssion of nce and another being assign to registeiiffixed increment of pence, means associatin said control mechanism with said accountlng devices to enter the required number of pence therein accordin to the predetermined assignment and prlnting mechanism including ty e bars each controlled conjointly bysaid 2- vices for effecting printing of the number of pence standing on the devices.

7. An accounting machine for the entry of a progression of units divisible to represent pence of the English monetary system including control mechanism and adding elements controlled thereby, said adding elements comprising selectively operable counters one of which is adapted to register a number of pence by setting operations of equal increments and having provision for accumulating a number of pence less than nine prior to transfer to the second counter. 8. An accounting machine, comprising a printing mechanism and means for listing items and the totals of said items, said printing mechanism including a type carrying bar having type for item printing, other type taking an impression from the detail or total types In testimony whereof we hereto aflix' our signatures;

GEORGE F. DALY. RALPH E. PAGE. 

